Random Cricket Photos Post 129

#RandomCricketPhotosThatMakeMeHappy

One thing that most people seem to remember from Monty Panesar's brief but eventful career is his inimitable style of super exuberant celebrations. In his book 'Monty's Turn', Panesar takes us to the origins of those celebrations.

Such a massive fan he was of Sachin Tendulkar while growing up that he had a poster of the Indian batsman on his bedroom wall. In fact, in 1996, when Indian team played a tour game against Northamptonshire, he took his bat to get it signed by the little master. He recounts how he and his friends jumped and danced in joy in the stands when Sachin raised his bat in their direction upon reaching his 50.

5 years later when he toured India with England U-19s, he went back home with a massive collection of Sachin posters to adorn his bedroom walls with.

10 years later, making his Test debut against the man he grew up admiring, he managed to conjure up a delivery that beat Sachin's bat to hit the pad in line with the stumps. The umpire raised his finger. Monty Panesar had gotten his maiden Test wicket. And it was Sachin Tendulkar.

He writes, "A first Test wicket is a treasured memory in the life of any bowler. but when the victim happens to be your hero, the player you've worshipped since the age of 10, then..well, I think you're entitled to go on a bit of a run and a leap and exchange a few high fives. I felt like an exploding volcano with an incredible release of energy from the inside. It was only when Tendulkar was about three quarters of the way back that I thought, 'My God, what have I done?'

John Gloster suggested him that he should get the ball signed by the master. While he was nervous about coming across as disrespectful, Gloster insisted. And, of course, Sachin being Sachin, didn't disappoint the turbaned spinner.

Here is the signed ball which Panesar, of course, calls 'priceless.'